Menopause Side Effects & Treatment

Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs with the cessation of menstruation. Some women may be troubled by bothersome side effects. To relieve these symptoms, both conventional, and complementary and alternative treatments are available.

Side Effects

• The side effects of menopause vary from woman to woman. The most common is hot flashes; others include night sweats, increased urination, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and constipation.

Conventional

• Several conventional treatments are available for hot flashes; they include hormone therapy, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). For vaginal dryness and some urinary symptoms, vaginal estrogen is prescribed.

Alternative Therapies

• Some alternative therapies are recommended for side effects, such as mood swings and sleep disturbances. These therapies include yoga, deep breathing, and guided imagery.

Supplements

• The North American Menopause Society recommends short-term use of the herb, black cohosh, for hot flashes and other symptoms; black cohosh has a low risk of side effects. Other supplements include isoflavones for hot flashes, and ginseng to improve mood and sleep problems.

Warning

• All herbs are considered dietary supplements by the FDA. Dietary supplements are not subject to the same quality controls as drugs.